System for facilitating cloud formation and cloud precipitation

ABSTRACT

A system for facilitating cloud formation and cloud precipitation includes a controller and a beam emitter that is responsive to the controller. The beam emitter is configured to emit a beam to form charged particles within an atmospheric zone containing water vapor. The charged particles enhance the formation of cloud condensation nuclei such that water vapor condenses on the cloud condensation nuclei forming cloud droplets. The system further includes a sensor configured to detect a cloud status and output a signal corresponding to the cloud status to the controller.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/685,347, filed Nov. 26, 2012, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

It is desirable to control cloud formation and precipitation.Controlling cloud coverage by creating clouds or precipitating cloudsprovides some measure of control over warming, cooling, and climatebenefits such as atmosphere albedo factors. Controlling precipitationhas certain advantages, including helping farmlands to receive enoughwater to maximize crop output, aiding in the accumulation of naturalsnow on ski slopes, and helping to prevent precipitation when outdooractivities are scheduled.

Cloud formation requires both atmospheric water vapor and cloudcondensation nuclei (CCN). Water vapor contained in the atmospherecondenses on the CCN when the atmosphere contains both the right amountof water and the right amount of nuclei. When water vapor condenses onthe CCN in mass quantities, clouds form. When the particles of condensedwater reach a critical weight, the condensed water droplets fall asprecipitation.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment relates to a ground-based system forfacilitating cloud formation and cloud precipitation includes acontroller and a beam emitter that is responsive to the controller. Thebeam emitter is configured to emit a beam to form charged particleswithin an atmospheric zone containing water vapor. The charged particlesenhance the formation of cloud condensation nuclei such that water vaporcondenses on the cloud condensation nuclei forming cloud droplets. Thesystem further includes a sensor configured to detect a cloud status andoutput a signal corresponding to the cloud status to the controller.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to an air-based system forfacilitating cloud formation and cloud precipitation. The systemincludes a flying device and a charging device configured to formcharged particles in an atmosphere containing water vapor. The chargedparticles enhance the formation of cloud condensation nuclei such thatthe water vapor condenses on the cloud condensation nuclei forming clouddroplets. The system further includes a sensor configured to detect acloud status and output a signal corresponding to the cloud status.

Yet another exemplary embodiment relates a method of cloud formation.The method includes locating an atmospheric area of water vapor. Theatmospheric area of water vapor has an altitude. The method furtherincludes targeting the atmospheric area of water vapor. The methodincludes forming charged particles within the atmospheric area of watervapor such that the charged particles enhance formation of cloudcondensation nuclei. The water vapor contained within the atmosphericarea of water vapor condenses on the cloud condensation nuclei formingcloud droplets that form a cloud. The method further includes sensing acloud status.

An additional exemplary embodiment relates a method of facilitatingcloud precipitation. The method includes targeting a cloud comprisingcloud droplets. The method further includes providing a charge formingdevice. The method includes sensing a cloud status and forming chargedparticles within the cloud. The charged particles facilitate anexpansion in size of the cloud droplets.

Still another exemplary embodiment relates to a method facilitatingcloud control for a customer. The method includes receiving a cloudrelated request from the customer. The request provides a target area ofland. The method includes analyzing the request. The method furtherincludes providing a charge forming device and forming charged particleswithin a target zone of an atmosphere. The method includes sensing acloud status. The method further includes receiving payment from thecustomer.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of renting cloudcontrol equipment to a customer. The method includes receiving a rentalrequest from the customer. The request includes a rental time length.The method further includes providing the customer a charge formingcloud control device and charging the customer a rental fee. The methodincludes receiving payment from the customer.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried outin various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to otherfeatures and combinations of features as may be generally recited in theclaims.

The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity containssimplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail. Consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a simplified view of Earth's atmosphere.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a cloud control andprecipitation control system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of cloud radiation reflection.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a cloud control andprecipitation control system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of a cloud controland precipitation control system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a cloud controland precipitation control system.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for a weather and climate control business.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for a method of cloud formation and cloudprecipitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application isnot limited to the details or methodology set forth in the descriptionor illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that theterminology is for the purpose of description only and should not beregarded as limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified view of Earth's atmosphere 100 isprovided. Beginning above Earth's surface 101, Earth's atmosphere 100includes troposphere 102, stratosphere 103, mesosphere 104, andthermosphere 105. Troposphere 102 generally extends from Earth's surface101 to an altitude of approximately 50,000 feet. Stratosphere 103generally extends from the upper limit of troposphere 102 to an altitudeof approximately 170,000 feet. Mesosphere 104 generally extends from theupper limit of stratosphere 103 to an altitude of approximately 270,000feet. Thermosphere 105 extends beyond the upper limit of mesosphere 104.Many consider thermosphere 105 to be the beginning of space. Forexample, the International Space Station orbits Earth in thermosphere105. Generally, clouds 106 are most prevalent in troposphere 102 andstratosphere 103. Clouds 106 are very rare in mesosphere 104. Clouds 106are not found in thermosphere 105.

Clouds form when the atmosphere contains the proper combination of watervapor and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). CCN are small particlessuspended in the air. When CCN are in air containing water vapor, thewater vapor molecules condense on CCN, and cloud droplets form. Whenwater molecules condense on CCN on a mass scale, clouds form. As thewater molecules continue to attach to CCN, the cloud droplets reach acritical weight and precipitate out of the atmosphere as rain, snow,sleet, or hail. Cloud formation can be assisted or encouraged byintroducing CCN into air already containing water molecules. Theartificial introduction of charges into the atmosphere can enhance theformation of CCNs by a process similar to that following natural chargeinjection (e.g., by cosmic rays). CCN formation from atmospheric ions(e.g., induced by external particles) is discussed in an article by Dr.J. R. Pierce, titled “Cosmic rays and clouds: Potential mechanisms,available athttp://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2011/09/cosmic-rays-and-clouds-potential-mechanisms/#ITEM-8796-0.The presence of ions in the atmosphere can enhance the nucleation ofsmall (˜1 nm) aerosols. These initial aerosols can then grow byaccumulation of trace atmospheric constituents such as sulphuric acid,ammonia, and organic molecules until they are large enough to serve asCCNs. Experimental examination of this process is discussed in “Role ofsulphuric acid, ammonia and galactic cosmic rays in atmospheric aerosolnucleation”, by Kirkby et al, Nature 476,429 (2011). Further, alreadyformed clouds can be precipitated by growing the cloud droplets byintroducing additional charges into the cloud.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary system 200 for cloud formation andprecipitation is shown. System 200 utilizes energy beam emitter, shownas ion beam emitter 201, to emit an energy beam, shown as ion beam 202,into the atmosphere. Ion beam emitter 201 is a device capable ofaccelerating ions and forming them into ion beam 202. Ion-beam emitter201 may use an electric field based accelerator or a laser wakefieldaccelerator. The ions in ion beam 202 may be protons or ions withheavier nuclei. The ions are positively or negatively charged. Ion beamemitter 201 emits ion beam 202 such that electrons are stripped fromatmospheric molecules that encounter ion beam 202. Accordingly, ion beam202 is operable to create charged particles 203 in the atmosphere bydepositing energy into the atmosphere that charges particles alreadyexisting in the atmosphere. Alternatively, system 200 utilizes aparticle beam emitter. A particle beam emitter operates to create acharged particle within the emitter and eject the charged particle outalong the path of a particle beam. The particle beam may be an electronor positron beam. The particle beam may comprise neutral particlesformed by adding or removing electrons from charged particles leavingthe emitter. The particle beam emitter may be an ion accelerator asdiscussed above, a cathode ray tube, a photocathode, or an electron gun.The particles within the particle beam strip electrons from atmosphericmolecules when the particle beam deposits the particles within theatmosphere. In yet another alternative, system 200 utilizes a laseremitter and laser beam to ionize particles within the atmosphere.

Regardless of the specific beam emitter utilized, system 200 is operableto form charged particles 203 within the atmosphere. When chargedparticles 203 are formed across an area of the atmosphere, multiplecharge centers form. Charged particles 203 are positively or negativelycharged. Ion beam emitter 201 may be mounted on a fixed structure. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, ion beam emitter 201 is mounted on the roofof a building. Alternatively, ion beam emitter 201 is mounted on avehicle such that it is repositionable.

Ion beam emitter 201 is both energy adjustable and aimable such that ionbeam 202 targets a specific zone in the atmosphere containing watervapor 205. The energy of ion beam emitter 201 is adjustable such thatcharged particles 203 are formed at a target altitude 204. Becausehigher energy ions generally have a greater range than low energy ones,a higher energy beam is capable of creating charged particles at longerdistances than a lower power beam. Accordingly, during high energyoperation, a ground-based ion beam emitter is capable of chargingparticles at high altitudes. Ion beam emitter 201 is capable of chargingparticles in troposphere 102, stratosphere 103, and as high asmesosphere 104. In the alternative embodiment utilizing a particle beamemitter or a laser, altitude is controlled by adjusting both the energyof the particle beam or laser (e.g., the frequency of the light) as wellas the size and stopping power of the particles within a particle beam.In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the ion beam comprisesprotons of approximately one gigaelectronvolt of energy and have astopping power of approximately 300 gm/cm². Ion beam emitter 201 isaimable such that ion beam 202 is operable to target and “paint” thezone in the atmosphere containing water vapor 205. Ion beam emitter 201further performs a sweeping function such that ion beam 202 is operableto form charged particles 203 across the atmospheric zone containingwater vapor 205. The sweeping function creates charge centers in thezone in the atmosphere containing water vapor 205.

System 200 is capable of placing charged particles based on predictionsof wind 206 direction and speed. Predictions of wind 206 direction andspeed are performed internally by system 200. Alternatively, system 200receives wind and weather data from an outside source. System 200analyzes wind 206 and forms charged particles 203 upwind of target landarea 207 such that cloud 208 forms and passes over target land area 207.The distance upwind may be many miles away from target land area 207depending on atmospheric conditions. Accordingly, ion beam emitter 201may need to be placed at a distance upwind from target land area 207.For example, a farmer operating an ion beam emitter (e.g., ion beamemitter 201) may need to place the emitter on another's land. In thiscase, it is contemplated that the farmer may pay the land owner a rentalfee for placing the ion beam emitter on the land.

Charged particles 203 enhance production of CCNs. Accordingly, chargedparticles 203 increase condensation of water vapor 205 in the atmosphereinto cloud droplets. After enough cloud droplets form, cloud 208 forms.Cloud 208 travels with wind 206. Ion beam emitter 201 tracks cloud 208as it travels across the sky such that ion beam emitter continues todeposit energy and create more charged particles 203 in the atmosphereuntil a desired amount of charged particles 203 are deposited. Theamount of charged particles 203 deposited is controlled by a user input.The user input varies depending upon various factors, including, but notlimited to water vapor amount, altitude, temperature, desired cloudsize, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, system 200utilizes sensor 209 to monitor cloud 208 formation. System 200 isconfigured such that when sensor 209 determines cloud 208 reaches a userselected quantity or quality, system 200 automatically shuts down ionbeam emitter 201. The user selected quality or quantity is a desiredcloud 208 size, density, opacity, or any combination thereof.

In some cases, system 200 is designed to create cloud 208 such thatcloud 208 merely passes over target land area 207 without precipitating.Accordingly, cloud 208 is propelled through the atmosphere by wind 206such that cloud 208 traverses target land area 207. Placing cloud 208over target land area 207 affects the local climate surrounding targetland area 207. System 200 is operable to create cloud 208 with adesignated albedo factor in order to control the climate surroundingtarget land area 207. For example, depending on the characteristics andaltitude of a cloud, a cloud can control radiation transport byincreasing or decreasing the albedo factor for reflection or absorptionof shortwave and/or longwave energy bands. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, acloud 301 is positioned to increase the albedo factor and reflectincoming radiation 302 from sun 303 back out of the atmosphere(reflected radiation 304) for a cooling effect. Alternatively, cloud 301is positioned to reflect outgoing thermal radiation 305 from Earth'ssurface 306 back to the surface 306 (reflected radiation 307). In thiscase, cloud 301 functions similar to a blanket and prevents thermalenergy from escaping through the atmosphere. Depending on the size ofcloud 301, the placement of cloud 301, and other weather conditions,including other clouds formed naturally or through system 200, it ispossible to control climate on a local scale, on a mesoscale, or on aglobal scale.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in other instances, system 200 is operable toprecipitate cloud 208 while over target land area 207. For example, afarmer may wish to encourage rainfall over farmland to reduce waterusage through irrigation. System 200 utilizes a second ion beam emitter210 to emit a second ion beam 211 into cloud 208. Alternatively, ionbeam emitter 210 targets a naturally created cloud. Similar to ion beamemitter 201, ion beam emitter alternatively is a particle beam emitteror a laser emitter. Second ion beam 211 is operable to depositadditional charged particles 212 into cloud 208. Additional chargedparticles 212 carry a positive or negative charge. Additional chargedparticles 212 encourage already condensed water droplets making up thecloud to grow in size until the droplets precipitate out as rain, snow,sleet, or hail 213. In an alternate embodiment, system 200 precipitatescloud 208 with ion beam emitter 201. In yet another embodiment, system200 utilizes weather prediction models to assist in forming cloud 208such that cloud 208 will naturally precipitate over target land area 207without the need for an additional charged particle deposit. Dependingon the size of cloud 208, the placement of cloud 208, and other weatherconditions, including other clouds formed naturally or through system200, it is possible to control precipitation on a local scale, on amesoscale, or on a global scale.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary system 400 for precipitation controlis shown. System 400 is operable to precipitate cloud 401. System 400utilizes ion beam emitter 402 to emit ion beam 403 such that chargedparticles 404 are deposited in cloud 401. Alternatively, system 400utilizes a particle beam emitter or a laser emitter. Ion beam emitter402 is mounted on vehicle 405 such that the vehicle locates and followscloud 401. Alternatively, ion beam emitter is mounted on a fixedstructure. Ion beam emitter 402 is power adjustable such that ion beam403 deposits charged particles 404 at a designated altitude. Further,ion beam emitter 402 is aimable such that ion beam 403 paints cloud 401with charged particles 404. Charged particles 404 encourage alreadycondensed water droplets making up cloud 401 to grow in size. Once thecloud droplets reach a critical weight, the water precipitates out ofcloud 401 as rain, snow, sleet, or hail 406.

Under certain circumstances, it is desirable to keep target land area407 free of precipitation. For example, target land area may house anoutdoor event such as a sporting event, a wedding, or a concert.Participants in the event and spectators of the event generally do notwant precipitation affecting the event experience. Accordingly, system400 is employed upwind of an event. Cloud 401 is propelled across thesky by wind 408. System is operable to calculate distance 409 fromtarget land area 407. Distance 409 is a factor of wind speed, cloud 401size, and atmospheric conditions. System 400 precipitates cloud 401 atdistance 409 such that cloud 401 is precipitated out before wind 408carries cloud 401 over target land area 407. Thus, target land area 407does not experience precipitation from cloud 401. It should also beunderstood that system 400 may alternatively be employed to precipitatecloud 401 over target land area 407.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary system 500 for cloud formation andprecipitation is shown. System 500 utilizes air based apparatus, shownas airplane 501, for delivering charged particles 502 into theatmosphere. Airplane 501 is manned in an exemplary embodiment.Alternatively, airplane 501 is remotely controlled. Airplane 501 isoperable to place charged particles 502 at a precise altitude 503.Further, airplane 501 is operable to deposit charged particles 502 overwide areas by flying different patterns over the ground. Chargedparticles 502 are deposited using a field electron emission technique.The field electron emission technique is cold field emission or anyother electron emission technique operable to deposit charged particles502 in the atmosphere. During field electron emission, plane 501 dragstrailing wires 504 (which may comprise single wires, arrays or wires,charge sheets, etc.) through the atmosphere. Trailing wires 504 createan electric field such that air molecules emit electrons (e.g., bydirect or avalanche ionization) creating charged particles 502.Alternatively, plane 501 utilizes fiber optic lines for photoionizationor photoemission, such that electrons are formed in the air. In yetanother embodiment, plane 501 carries a beam emitter capable of formingcharged particles 502 in the atmosphere. The beam emitter is an ion beamemitter, a particle beam emitter, or a laser beam emitter. In a furtherembodiment, system 500 utilizes cascading charge injection on the orderof 30 electronvolts per charge pair. Alternatively, system 500 usesweakly-cascading charge injection or non-cascading means of chargeinjection.

Plane 501 targets a zone of water vapor 505 in the atmosphere. Plane 501drags trailing wires through water vapor 505 and deposits chargedparticles 502 within the water vapor 505 to create charge centers in theatmosphere. Charged particles 502 within water vapor 505 act as CCNenhancers. Accordingly, charged particles 502 enhance condensation ofwater vapor 505 into cloud droplets. After enough cloud droplets form,cloud 506 forms. Plane 501 continues to deposit charged particles 502into water vapor 505 and cloud 506 until cloud 506 reaches the desiredsize and density.

The flying pattern of plane 501 and the amount of charge running throughtrailing wires 504 are modified to achieve a desired density of cloud506 and a desired size of cloud 506 based on various atmosphericconditions including, but not limited to water vapor amount, altitude,temperature, desired cloud size, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure.Alternatively, system 500 utilizes sensor 507 to monitor cloud 506formation. Sensor 507 is ground based. Sensor 507 is a radar sensor orany other type of sensor operable to measure cloud 506 status. Themeasured cloud status is any of a cloud size, a cloud density, a cloudalbedo factor, a temperature, a CCN concentration, presence of traceatmospheric constituents, or the presence of precipitation coming fromcloud 506. Sensor 507 communicates with plane 501 through a radio link.Alternatively, sensor 507 is mounted on plane 501.

Additionally, system 500 is operable to precipitate cloud 506. In orderto facilitate cloud 506 precipitation, plane 501 deposits chargedparticles 502 within cloud 506. When placed inside cloud 506, chargedparticles 502 encourage already condensed water droplets making up cloud506 to grow in size until the droplets precipitate out as rain, snow,sleet, or hail 508.

It should be understood that system 500 is not limited to use throughplane 501. System 500 is operable with many types of airships or flyingdevices including, but not limited to, weather balloons, airships,blimps, and unmanned air drones. Further, it is contemplated that use oftethered balloons or airships are used to consistently deposit chargedparticles 502 in a particular location. Such a setup facilitates acontinuous charge-center the atmosphere, and thus continuous cloudformation.

Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary system 600 for cloud formation andprecipitation is shown. System 600 utilizes a satellite 601 to depositcharged particles 602 into Earth's atmosphere 603. Satellite ispositioned at orbit distance 604 and communicates with base station 605.Orbit distance 604 is low Earth orbit. Alternatively, orbit distance 604is a medium Earth orbit or a geostationary orbit. Satellite 601 utilizesion beam emitter 606 to emit ion beam 607 into the atmosphere. Ion beam607 is operable to charge particles 602 in the atmosphere.Alternatively, the system 600 utilizes a particle beam emitter. In yetanother alternative, system 600 utilizes a laser emitter and laser beamto charge particles within the atmosphere. Regardless of the specificbeam emitter utilized, system 600 is operable to introduce chargedparticles 602 into the atmosphere. Charged particles 602 are positivelyor negatively charged.

Satellite 601 receives instructions from base station 605 throughwireless (e.g., RF or optical) link 608. The instructions include thelocation of a target zone of water vapor 609 in the atmosphere 603. Theinstructions may be based off of data received at base station 605 fromground, air, or space based sensors. Alternatively, base station 605sends instructions to satellite 601 based on a user input. Zone of watervapor 609 is at distance 610 from satellite 601. Ion beam emitter 606 isboth energy adjustable and aimable such that ion beam 607 is directed todeposit charged particles 602 into the target zone of water vapor 609.The energy of ion beam emitter 606 is adjustable such that chargedparticles 602 are deposited at target distance 610. A higher energy beamis capable of creating charged particles closer to Earth's surface thana lower energy beam. In the alternative embodiment utilizing a particlebeam emitter or a laser, distance 610 is controlled by adjusting boththe energy of the particle beam or laser as well as the size andstopping power of the particles within a particle beam. In oneembodiment, it is contemplated that the ion beam 607 comprises protonsof approximately 1 gigaelectronvolt of energy and have a stopping powerof approximately 300 gm/cm². Ion beam emitter 606 is aimable such thation beam 607 is operable to paint the zone of water vapor 609 withcharged particles 602.

Charged particles 602 act as CCN enhancers. Accordingly, chargedparticles 602 increase condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere toform cloud 611. The amount of charged particles 602 formed is controlledby base station 605. Accordingly, base station 605 instructs satellite601 to form the cloud 611 to a desired cloud size, density, opacity, orany combination thereof.

Further, system 600 is operable to precipitate clouds in a similarfashion to system 400 and system 200. System 600 utilizes ion beamemitter 606 to emit ion beam 607 such that charged particles 602 aredeposited in an already existing cloud or a recently formed cloud 611.Charged particles 602 encourage already condensed water droplets makingup cloud 611 to grow in size. Once the cloud droplets reach a criticalweight, the water precipitates out of cloud 401 as rain, snow, sleet, orhail 612. It is contemplated that base station 605 instructs satellite601 to precipitate cloud 611 over a target area of land 613.

In order to properly perform a cloud formation step, any of the abovesystems 200, 400, 500, or 600 utilize water vapor (205, 505, and 609) inthe atmosphere. As noted earlier, cloud formation requires both CCN andwater vapor. Depositing CCN into a dry atmosphere will not efficientlycreate clouds. Artificial cloud formation requires locating atmosphericregions that are both supersaturated with water vapor and lacksufficient natural CCN to form clouds. Accordingly, systems 200, 400,500, or 600 are operable to locate atmospheric regions containingadequate moisture. The location information is received from third-partyweather analysis services. Alternatively, systems 200, 400, 500, or 600employ sensors to locate atmospheric regions supersaturated with watervapor and lacking in natural CCN. The sensors output humidity andlocation data such that zones of uncondensed water vapor are located inthe atmosphere. The sensors may also measure temperature, degree ofsaturation, existing CCN quantity, existing CCN type, existing CCN size,existing CCN charge, air velocity, atmospheric pressure, and any otherhelpful atmospheric condition. The sensors may be ground based orsatellite based. Still further, sensors may be mounted to flyingvehicles such as weather balloons, drones, or airplanes. Output from thesensors may be input into atmospheric models to determine suitabilityfor cloud formation or cloud precipitation. The models may be analyticalor computational. The models assist systems 200, 400, 500, and 600 indetermining placement of charge centers, evolution of charge centersinto CCN, duration of CCN existence before turning into aerosols, timeestimates for cloud formation, estimates of radiation scattering byformed clouds, and time and precipitation estimates for formed clouds.Performing an analysis to target atmospheric regions containingappropriate levels of water vapor increases the effectiveness of systems200, 400, 500, or 600 during both cloud formation and cloudprecipitation. Further, such an analysis enables systems 200, 400, 500,or 600 to avoid forming CCN in places where inadequate moisture exists.

Use of any of the above systems 200, 400, 500, or 600 may be facilitatedthrough a controller. The controller includes a processing circuithaving a processor and memory. The controller receives input from any ofthe above mentioned sensors as well as weather prediction services andatmospheric models. The controller is operable to perform allcalculations and functions including, but not limited to, determiningtarget distances and altitudes, aiming and positioning charge emittingdevices to control the location of charge centers, and controlling theamount of charged particles deposited at the target location.

Any of the above systems, systems 200, 400, 500, or 600, can be operatedas part of a business. Referring to FIG. 7, a flow chart for theoperation of a weather and climate control business is shown as method700. Method 700 is operable to receive a customer request (step 701).The customer request includes the desired weather or climate controlservices. After receiving the customer request (step 701), method 700analyzes the customer request to determine whether the request isphysically possible (step 702). Weather and climate control via cloudformation and cloud precipitation is only available under the proper setof atmospheric circumstances. For example, the atmosphere needs tocontain the proper amount of water vapor to seed a cloud with injectedCCN. Additionally, the atmospheric zones of water vapor need to belocated in an appropriate position in relation to wind and weatherpatterns. Accordingly, method 700 analyzes data from sensors,meteorologist services, analytical and computational models, andphysical measurements made from the ground, airplanes, or satellites tomake a determination on the feasibility of satisfying the customerrequest. If the customer request is not possible, method 700 informs thecustomer of the impossibility (step 703) and skips to billing thecustomer (step 708). It is contemplated that method 700 includes 708 foran impossible request because step 702 requires the expenditure ofanalysis resources to determine the possibility of the customer request.If the customer request is possible, method 700 moves on to the nextdetermination.

Method 700 determines whether the customer request includes cloudformation (step 704). If the customer request includes cloud formation,then method 700 utilizes any of the above systems (200, 400, 500, or600) to seed a cloud (step 705) in an area that the customer designates.The cloud formation (step 704) is for the purpose of climate control, inwhich case the clouds formed will not be precipitated. Alternatively,the cloud formation (step 704) is the first step in a two-partprecipitation request by the customer.

Method 700 includes determining whether the customer request includes aprecipitation request (step 706). If the request includes aprecipitation request, method 700 precipitates a cloud out of theatmosphere (step 707). The precipitation request includes a target areaof land to be precipitated on or to be kept dry. If the land is to beprecipitated on, method 700 employs any of the above systems (200, 400,500, or 600) to precipitate an already existing cloud over thedesignated area of land. The cloud to be precipitated is formed duringstep 705. Alternatively, the cloud is a naturally existing cloud alreadyin the atmosphere. If the target area of land is to be kept dry, thecustomer will designate a time window in which the target land is to bekept dry. Method 700 precipitates clouds in route to the target area ofland before the clouds arrive at the target land area over thedesignated period of time. To accomplish this, method 700 includesanalysis of weather and wind patterns to locate clouds that are likelyto naturally precipitate on the land for the customer designated periodof time. If any clouds are located, method 700 utilizes any of methods200, 400, 500, or 600 to precipitate the cloud out of the atmosphereprior to the cloud's arrival at the target area of land.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the customer is billed for the providedservices (step 708). It is contemplated that the customer is billedbefore any services are performed. Further, it is contemplated thatmethod is performed for a long duration of time, such as a year or overthe course of a farming season. In this case, it is desirable for abusiness utilizing method 700 bill its customers on a regular billingcycle as services are performed. The billing cycle may be weekly,monthly, quarterly, or annually. After sending the customer a bill (step708), method 700 includes receiving payment from the customer (step709).

Referring to FIG. 8, method 800 of cloud formation and precipitation isshown. The above systems and methods (200, 400, 500, 600, and 700)utilize a form of method 800. Method 800 locates a target atmosphericregion (step 801). The atmospheric region is an area supersaturated withwater vapor and lacking natural CCN if the user of the method desires toform a cloud. Alternatively, the atmospheric region is an areacontaining a cloud if the user desires to precipitate a cloud. Method800 targets the atmospheric region located in step 801 with a deviceconfigured to deposit CCN into the atmospheric region (step 802). Method800 deposits charged particles in the atmospheric region (step 803). Thedeposited charged particles act as CCN. Method 800 utilizes an ion beamemitter, a particle beam emitter, a laser beam emitter, or fieldelectron emission to deposit the charged particles in the targetatmospheric region. Method 800 senses a cloud status (step 804). Method800 uses a sensor to determine the cloud status. The cloud status may bea cloud density, a cloud size, a cloud albedo factor, a presence oftrace atmospheric constituents or the presence of precipitation. Afterthe cloud being formed or precipitated reaches a desired cloud status,method 800 stops depositing charged particles (step 805).

The above systems and methods (200, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800) arecontemplated for employment in many situations. For example, a winterresort may employ any of the above systems and methods to facilitatesnowfall. Doing so ensures optimized skiing, snowboarding, and otherwinter activity conditions. The resort may own the equipment, rent theequipment from an equipment provider, or contract a business tofacilitate the snowfall. The resort can recoup the added costs offacilitating the snowfall by charging visitors of the resort a surchargeor convenience fee for guaranteed snow. In another exemplary use, aninsurance company may employ any of the above systems and methods tofacilitate precipitation. The insurance company may provide cropinsurance to farmers. In this case, the insurance company may employ theabove systems and methods to facilitate rainfall to reduce the risk ofor damage caused by a drought. Alternatively, the insurance company mayinsure property owners against weather damage (e.g., hail damage).Accordingly, the insurance company may detect an incoming weather systemwith the potential to cause damage to the insured property andfacilitate precipitation of the weather system upwind of the insuredproperty. In either case, the insurance company may own the equipment,rent the equipment from an equipment provider, or contract a business tofacilitate the precipitation.

The above systems and methods (200, 400, 500, 600, and 800) are alsocontemplated to be employed by a rental business. The rental businessowns the beam emitter and sensing equipment required for systems andmethods 200, 400, 500, 600, and 800. Customers rent the equipment for aperiod of time. The rental may be for a single use (e.g., a single dayor to facilitate cloud formation or precipitation for a designated timeperiod), a growing or farming season, or a longer term rental or lease.The rental business may also offer tangential services to the renting ofthe equipment. For example, the rental business may provide trainingclasses on how to properly use the equipment or provide weathercondition detection services. Alternatively, a rental of the equipmentmay include a dedicated operator of the equipment such that the renterneed not be trained on use of the equipment.

The above systems and methods (200, 400, 500, 600, and 800) are furthercontemplated to be employed by government agencies. Systems and methods200, 400, 500, 600, and 800 have general public welfare uses. Forexample, a government agency may employ any of the above systems tofacilitate precipitation to end droughts or wildfires. Further, agovernment agency may employ any of the above systems to moderate thetemperature of locations during times of extreme heat or cold.Additionally, systems and methods 200, 400, 500, 600, and 800 havedefense and military applications. For example, a government agency mayemploy any of the above systems to create constant cloud coverage over adesignated area of land. Such cloud coverage is operable to blocksatellite and spy-plane aerial surveillance. A government agency mayemploy any of the above systems to advantageously control precipitationand climate.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplaryembodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled inthe art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies ofthe enclosure may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materialsthat provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide varietyof colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subjectdescription, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example,instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word“exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present inventions. The order or sequence of anyprocess or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended tocover the structures described herein as performing the recited functionand not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferredand other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of thepresent disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views theconnection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above arealso included within the scope of machine-readable media.Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function orgroup of functions.

Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, theorder of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Suchvariation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and ondesigner choice. All such variations are within the scope of thedisclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps and decision steps.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of cloud formation, comprising: locating an atmospheric area of water vapor, the atmospheric area of water vapor having an altitude; targeting the atmospheric area of water vapor; forming charged particles within the atmospheric area of water vapor, wherein the charged particles enhance formation of cloud condensation nuclei, and wherein water vapor contained within the atmospheric area of water vapor condenses on the cloud condensation nuclei forming cloud droplets that form a cloud; and sensing a cloud status.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming charged particles in the atmospheric area of water vapor comprises charging existing particles that already exist within the atmospheric area of water vapor.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein charging existing particles comprises emitting an energy beam to deposit energy within the targeted atmospheric area of water vapor, wherein the energy ionizes the existing particles.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the energy beam is one of an ion beam, a laser beam, and a particle beam.
 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting an energy of the energy beam to form charged particles at a specified altitude.
 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising sweeping the atmospheric area of water vapor with the energy beam such that charged particles are formed at different locations within the atmospheric area of water vapor.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the energy beam is flux adjustable such that the energy beam is configured to form different amounts of charged particles within the atmospheric area of water vapor.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein charging existing particles includes performing field electron emission.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming charged particles in the cloud, wherein the charged particles facilitate expansion in size of the cloud droplets until the cloud droplets fall as precipitation.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloud status is at least one of a cloud density, a cloud size, a cloud albedo factor, a presence of precipitation, a presence of cloud condensation nuclei, a cloud temperature, or a presence of trace atmospheric constituents.
 11. A method of facilitating cloud precipitation, comprising: targeting a cloud comprising cloud droplets; sensing a cloud status; and forming charged particles within the cloud using a charge forming device, wherein the charged particles facilitate an expansion in size of the cloud droplets.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein operation of the charge forming device is responsive to the cloud status.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein targeting of the cloud is responsive to the cloud status.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming the cloud.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein forming charged particles comprises charging existing particles that already exist within the cloud with the charge forming device.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the charge forming device is an energy beam configured to deposit energy within the cloud, wherein the energy ionizes existing particles.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy beam is one of an ion beam, a laser beam, and a particle beam.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting an energy of the energy beam to form charged particles at a specified altitude.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising sweeping the energy beam across the cloud such that charged particles are formed within the cloud.
 20. A method of facilitating cloud control for a customer, comprising: receiving a cloud related request from the customer, the request providing a target area of land; analyzing the request; providing a charge forming device; forming charged particles within a target zone of an atmosphere; sensing a cloud status; and receiving payment from the customer. 